Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-10-10

IELTS Writing Task 1 question

The diagram below shows how one type of desert, known as a rain-shadow desert, is formed.

Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.

The formation of rain-shadow deserts

Student answer (Band 6.0)

The diagram illustrates formation of a rain-shadow desert.

Overall, the process includes the travelling of the winds from the sea over thousands of kilometres wide mountains, and then reaching the inland, forming into a rain-shadow desert.

From the sea, the winds approach the coast and are pushed upwards. The moist air rises and cools. The clouds are formed from the cooling air, which go through the process of condensation. This side of the mountains where the winds have travelled several thousands of kilometres and have been transformed into heavy clouds, is also known as the Windward side. The clouds reach the top of the mountains. Rain falls from the clouds at the top and dry air continues over the mountain travelling down the Leeward side.

The Leeward side includes the process of the dry air travelling from the top of the mountain and finally reaching the inland areas in its final form, known as the rain-shadow desert.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

The response covers the main sequence accurately: winds approach the coast, rise and cool, clouds form, rain falls on the windward side, and dry air crosses the mountains towards the inland desert. The overview also identifies the broad movement from sea to inland. This gives the account a clear foundation, and the relevant stages are generally selected well. However, some details are unclear or not supported by the diagram. In particular, “winds ... over thousands of kilometres wide mountains” misplaces the scale label, which indicates horizontal distance, not the width of the mountains. The explanation of condensation and the claim that the air reaches the desert “in its final form” add interpretation without clarifying the process. A more precise overview and clearer description of the windward/leeward contrast would strengthen the response further.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The information is arranged in a sensible sequence, with an overview followed by the stages from the coast to the inland area. Paragraphing helps distinguish the general process from its details, and links such as “From the sea” and “finally” guide the reader. However, cohesion is sometimes awkward or repetitive. The final paragraph restates the movement of dry air already described in the previous paragraph, while the long sentence beginning “This side of the mountains...” makes the relationship between the windward side, distance and cloud formation difficult to follow. References such as “which” in “The clouds are formed from the cooling air, which go through...” are also unclear. Use shorter stage-focused sentences and clearer references to improve progression.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

The response uses a suitable range of process vocabulary, including “moist air,” “condensation,” “windward side,” “Leeward side” and “rain-shadow desert.” These terms show awareness of the topic, and the meaning is generally understandable. Some choices are imprecise or unnatural, however: “thousands of kilometres wide mountains” misuses the scale information, “travelling ... in its final form” is vague, and “transformed into heavy clouds” is not a natural description of the process. Repetition of “winds,” “clouds” and “travelling” also limits flexibility. Aim for precise process collocations, such as air “moves across” the mountains and “descends” on the leeward side, while avoiding unsupported descriptions.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.0

There is a mix of simple and more complex structures, including the overview sentence and the sequence of clauses describing rising, cooling and rainfall. Most of the process remains understandable, but some grammatical errors and awkward constructions reduce clarity. For example, “The clouds are formed ... which go through” has unclear agreement and reference; “This side ... where the winds have travelled ... is also known” creates a cumbersome sentence structure; and “The Leeward side includes the process” is not a well-formed way to describe the stage. The final sentence also shifts between “air” and “its final form” without a clear grammatical reference. Use direct subject–verb sentences and check agreement and clause structure, especially in longer sentences.

See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.